The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists in New Zealand has raised the issue of regulation of senior health managers, after the chair of the Mid-Staffordshire public inquiry has called for better regulation of the profession in the UK. The UK report calls for senior health service managers to be regulated in the same way as nurses and doctors. In New Zealand, this would include senior bureaucrats in the Ministry of Health and district health boards. The ASMS has attributed treatment delays, over-stretched hospital specialists and high levels of practitioner burnout to a lack of accountability among bureaucrats and health decision-makers.

The trade body for electricians in Scotland, SELECT, has issued a call for regulation of the industry in response to untrained individuals posing safety threats in the home. SELECT has issued a report including case studies that show examples of damage and injury from electrical causes. The group proposes government regulation to ensure basic standards of safety and competence.

The Platte Institute for Economic Research in Nebraska has launched a campaign to evaluate Nebraska's occupational licensing requirements and make recommendations to be introduced in next year's legislative session. The group's CEO calls occupational licensing "the biggest labor force issue in our country today." The group hopes to make Nebraska's requirements closer to those of less restrictive nearby states as well as establishing greater reciprocity with nearby states.

Kentucky's Interim Joint Committee on Health and Welfare heard testimony regarding possible legislation to license midwives. The Kentucky Home Birth Coalition stressed that midwives would be professionally trained and accredited by the North American Registry of Midwives as recognized by other states that license midwives. Others voiced concerns about the potential danger if an emergency situation arises during a birth and midwives do not have access to a physician or an agreement with a hospital.

Ontario has introduced the Condominium Management Services Act to establish licensure of condominium managers under the newly created Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario. The CMRAO will be self-funded by licensing fees from an estimated 3,000 condominium managers. Currently, condominium managers can voluntarily pursue the Registered Condominium Manager designation from the Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario. The ACMO hopes that the licensing requirements to be put in place will closely align with their current qualifications and exam requirements and hopes to be recognized as an education provider when regulations come into effect. A 2-stage licensing process is anticipated, with basic requirements and an entrance exam for Class 1 license and additional courses and two years job experience required for Class 2 license.

The Royal College of Surgeons has suggested that Brexit may have some positive effects on the safety of health services. As part of the EU, the UK had to follow EU regulations regarding language testing of non-UK practitioners, but Brexit would allow the General Medical Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council to conduct stricter language exams for internationally educated professionals. The RCS is urging the Government to confirm that the NHS will be able to continue hiring European healthcare professionals and that those already working in the UK will be able to stay.

A new "earn as you learn" part-time degree will allow UK nursing students to qualify over four or five years instead of a three-year full-time program. Teenagers finishing school will be able to work as trainees in hospitals, and those working as care assistants will be able to train to enter the nursing profession without taking time off to enter a full-time university program.

The group that filed a lawsuit against the Illinois Governor and Department of Financial and Professional Regulation over an amended law requiring them to provide referrals for abortions has requested a preliminary injunction against the law. The judge has indicated that he will issue a written decision by December 28.

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin has announced the establishment of the Oklahoma Occupational Licensing Task Force within the Department of Labor to perform a comprehensive review of occupational licensing in Oklahoma. The task force is expected to report to the Governor regarding unnecessary or burdensome regulations that can "hinder a person from earning a living or providing for their family." Task force commissioners have stressed that the safety and health of the public will remain a priority.

A new report by the UK General Medical Council indicates that doctors are finding it hard to undertake reflective practice because of pressures on medical services. They cite lack of time and support, professional isolation and a widening gap between primary and secondary care. The report recommends a stronger focus in medical school on understanding medical professionalism and more focus on the importance of patient involvement. A previous report by the Royal Collage of Physicians reported "excessive stress, low morale and unmanageable workloads" and suggested the need for protected time for doctors to reflect on their practice. The report also urges an emphasis on reflective practice in continuing professional development programs.